Secret Santa stinks!

[chickerdoodle]

Quote:
I agree

I always enjoy giving a gift I know they will enjoy and don't really care too much about what I get. Its fun just finding the perfect gift for someone! Some years I have been quite surprised at some of the good things I have gotten from Secret Santas, and others were not what I'd ever use (I do believe in re-gifting brand new items if you know they will be enjoyed by someone else). My older sister doesn't have much money and I wish she wouldn't get us anything and have told her so many times. I love giving her and her DH a small, thoughtful present and haven't been able to not do so. I even get great toys for both sister's pets "from" our pets as it's so much fun!! I get so happy when I know they'll come home to a package and can see the smile on their face. I also send money to my grown up nephews who are are still in the "starting out" phase of life so they can get what they really want--much appreciated by those in their age group.

 

[australorpchick]

I would be irritated too. It's not the crappy gifts, it's the fact that these people knew the dollar amount and had to opt-in for the gift exchange. They intentionally joined knowing they didn't have the funds, but they were anticipating on receiving a nice gift. They're moochers. If you don't have money, that's fine, spend the time and make the effort.

My sister and her family don't have a lot of money, so we don't exchange Xmas gifts, that way she doesn't feel bad. I make up for it throughout the year with little thinking-of-you gifts and she makes cookies for my family.

I like chia pets, but could never get mine to grow.

 

[redhen]

its not the point of better giving than recieving.. although that is true..
its the point of someone lying and being a creep. IMO

 

[MuranoFarms]

Quote:
I think that's exactly it! The first exchange I was given a name and a list. I had so much fun shopping for her! It was somebody else that had my name.

The second one we were just given a $ amount and the wrapped gifts are placed on a table. Then each person picks a gift and unwraps it. That one irritated me the most because she knew she wasn't spending the fair amount and still did it knowing she was going to get a gift from someone who did follow the rules!

When it comes to regular gift giving, I never care if I get something back. It's just, the point of the secret Santa exchanges are supposed to be fun and fair.

 

[halo]

I wish I could remember exactly when Christmas changed from giving in the spirit that it was intended (does anyone remember why we give gifts??) to "why didnt I get a better gift?"

Ill have to think on that a while.....

 

[Goose and Fig]

Oh I got one for ya! Every year we'd pick kids names at my ex-inlaws house. We had 3 kids (2 were mine-NOT his) so we'd take 3 names of nieces and nephews to get presents for. Come Christmas- whomever had my 2 boys (my ex's step-kids) would deny ever picking their names. So- we bought 3 presents, got one, and 2 sad little boys.

Needless to say- that 2nd xmas was our LAST.

It's one thing if you don't like ME- but don't take it out on little kids.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Happy Mtn:

I think that is one of the saddest things I've ever heard. To do that, to little kids, is just about as low as you can go...so sorry for you and the boys!

Joni

 

[FarmerChick]

yes I agree.
to deny any kid a gift is just horrible in that situation

 

[Chickenmaven]

jojo@rolling acres farm :

Happy Mtn:

I think that is one of the saddest things I've ever heard. To do that, to little kids, is just about as low as you can go...so sorry for you and the boys!

Ditto.

 

[lorrir]

A couple of years ago my daughter worked at McDonalds in the mgr apprentice program, she worked with a really mean woman who had been there since hamburgers were 59 cents.

That christmas my daughter drew the mean lady's name in the christmas exchange. The limit was $20.00. The mean woman took my daughter aside and told what she wanted for her present and was sure to tell my daugter to make sure the whole $20 was spent. My daughter was heartbroken not knowing what to do. She hated giving this woman anything and then to be told what to get. She knew if she didn't comply she would have trouble at work.

Well, I stewed over it for a couple of days and then got the idea to make a donation in the woman's name to her own church. My daughter found out what church she was from made a $20 donation and had the pastor write her a "thank you receipt" so my daughter could give it to her at the christmas party.

My daughter and I schemed to make sure the presenation of the donation would be done in a way so that the mean woman could not possibly have anything mean to say to my daughter. We wrote on the card that since this woman had all of gods worldly gifts the only thing anyone could possibly give her was a donation in her name.

My daughter was much admired for her thoughtfulness and the mean woman just stewed about it but couldn't complain. She gave my daughter a rose floating in a glass egg that cost $2 at the dollar general.